There was abandoned equipment that Lilia couldn't name, shapes of wood and steel and rusted iron that loomed out of the shadows on either side. There were holes in the floor that had to be circumnavigated, holes that gave glimpses of endless darkness below. Lilia smelled damp wood, cold stone, and the wetness of the earth from those openings.
She heard rats.
Or maybe bigger creatures of the night.
That made her hurry after the child.
Micheline had paused on the threshold of a room with double doors. A filthy skylight far overhead glowed silver with the light of the moon, although Lilia's eyes hadn't adjusted enough to let her see the room's contents.
There were no angels, though. She knew that because she couldn't see their light, that curious opalescent light she'd seen once before.
"Angels," Micheline breathed with awe.
Lilia looked again. "No," she said. "No angels."
"Angels." Micheline spoke with confidence.
Was the little girl playing a game with her?
There was no chance to answer that. Micheline pivoted to face Lilia, holding her finger to her lips. When Lilia nodded agreement and reached for the child's hand, Micheline evaded her touch and scampered into the room. Lilia moved quickly and quietly after her, suddenly afraid that something would happen to the child. She didn't want to answer to Stevia for that.
Micheline fell to her knees and threw out her arms, her pose one of rapture. She tipped back her head, her eyes squeezed tightly shut and began to whisper fervently.
That wasn't what stopped Lilia in her tracks. She'd seen people and shades do lots of strange things in her time, after all.
It wasn't the pearly light that began to glow in the middle of the room that brought her to a halt either. She'd seen that light once before.
It was Montgomery's delicious twin, his black faux leather cloak spread around him in a swirl, on his knees, his head bowed.
Lilia stared. The angel light touched the back of his head as lovingly as a caress, and she saw that his eyes were closed. His gloved hands were folded before his face, his posture submissive.
That must have been why her mouth went dry.
The light grew ever brighter around Montgomery and he felt the room heat by increments. There was a vibration in his ears, a high sound that masked all other noise. He could have been surrounded by ten thousand humming bees, each emanating that pearly light.
"Welcome."
He heard the greeting in his mind, more of his own thought than an utterance. He opened himself to the angel's voice, knowing that this communication was difficult for both of them.
Something brushed his head, ethereal fingertips sweeping his brow. It was a tender caress, one that made him think of a woman's hand. He had an urge to look upon the angel, but there was a pressure on the back of his neck, as if the angel sensed his desire but was reminding him to not look.
Flesh gave pain and pleasure, strength and weakness.
Montgomery understood the attitude of prayer as he never had before. He surrendered to the visiting angel, trusting her implicitly, and heard her more clearly.
"You must take Raziel's burden."
"Yes," Montgomery thought. "But I need to know what it was."
Silence stretched long and he feared that their communication was broken. He felt the angel straining, felt his thoughts burn with her presence.
Then the words came clearly again.
"You must identify the Council of Three, and eliminate them."
The imperative grew. There was music in this thoughts, half-forgotten potent music that lightened his heart and filled him with optimism.
Optimism he had forgotten.
"There is a divine plan and it is good."
Trust welled in Montgomery's heart. Faith in the future, in divine omniscience, in goodness triumphing over evil.
And he was aware of his role in the transaction.
He had to identify the Council of Three, whatever that meant.
Then he could return to the splendor he had known. He could return home. At the sound of the angel's voice, he yearned for his old invincibility and power. He wanted to shake free of the doubts that had plagued him since his arrival here. He wanted to be purposeful and confident and resilient again.
He wanted his wings back.
He would do whatever was necessary to earn them.
"It is not in you to be compromised, Munkar. Yours is the ability to see into the secret hearts of men, and that power will guide you to truth."
At the sound of his old name, Montgomery's tears spilled. The name resonated within him in its rightness and he knew, no matter that his form had changed, he was yet what once he had been.
"What of Raziel?"
There was sadness emanating from the angel even before she spoke. "She cannot return to us now."
"Then she is lost?"
"Her soul has returned to God, a divine spark rejoining with its source. She is no longer Raziel; Raziel is gone but her spirit continues."
It was both less and more than Montgomery had hoped.
It certainly was not a fate he wished to share.
He felt the brush of the angel's fingertips on the back of his neck. It was a sisterly caress, a mark of affection even though it burned slightly on his skin. It reminded him of the simplicity of the angelic state, of how clearly he had been able to think without the distraction of his body's hopes and demands.
Beneath her caress, his thoughts cleared and he was aware only of his need to complete his assigned task. And if distraction presented itself, he had to clear away its obstacle, so that he could fulfil his quest. Purpose filled him and he pushed to his feet, turning away from the angel's glory.
When he had taken a dozen steps, he opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by radiant angelfire. It shone through his hands, illuminating the bones and vessels, making him translucent. He meant to turn back, but he saw Lilia then. She stood in the shadows twenty feet ahead of him, her eyes round with surprise, gloved and booted and veiled and corseted.
Tempting.
Alluring.
Distracting.
Montgomery knew then what he had to do. His quest was all important, the risks higher than he had understood. He could not let desire for Lilia cloud his judgment.
Which meant he had to sate that desire.
Immediately.
XII
Montgomery was surrounded by the angel's light as he strode toward Lilia. Her heart stopped cold. He was every bit as impressive without his pseudoskin, broad and tall and irresistible.
Determined.
It was time, Lilia decided, to get over her marathon run of chastity.
Montgomery looked inclined to help with that.
His gaze didn't waver as he closed the distance between them. He didn't hesitate or make small talk or pretend his destination was anywhere other than it was. There was only Montgomery in Lilia's world, his desire for her and the desire he fed in her.
For once in her life, lust was simple.
Montgomery reached to touch her cheek, his hand slipping smoothly past her ear, into her hair. Lilia felt the faux leather slide across her skin and parted her lips in silent invitation.
Montgomery bent his head, as if only claiming what was his rightful due, and kissed her deeply.
It was faster and hotter than the last kiss, more impatient and less restrained. This kiss made demands that Lilia wanted to fulfill. She liked that he was less controlled.
She liked that he could be impulsive, even reckless.
She loved being the woman who had shaken his composure.
Montgomery cupped her face in his hands, holding her captive, tipping her toward him as he deepened his kiss. Lilia welcomed him. His tongue eased between her lips and Lilia let her own kiss turn demanding. Her enthusiasm didn't seem to surprise him.
In fact, he responded in kind. The careful and composed version of Montgomery was nowhere in sight. This Montgomery was
imperious and impatient, demanding and delicious. Lilia wanted all of him.
Immediately.
He shoved his hands through her hair, discarding her hat and veil with impatience. He scattered the pins from her hair, kissing her as if he couldn't get enough of her. He spread her hair over her shoulders, then ran his hands over her curves with proprietary ease. He caught her closer, his hands bracketing her waist, and lifted her against his muscled chest. Lilia's hands were full of faux fur and faux leather, of animal and man and Montgomery. She held tight. His eyes gleamed as he smiled and Lilia's heart skipped a beat.
"Kiss me as if you mean it," he said, his words almost a growl. There was a gleam of challenge in his eyes and Lilia was only too glad to accept his terms.
"Only if you do the same," she dared and saw the flash of his smile before his mouth closed over hers.
Their next kiss was all tongue and teeth, all power and heat. They could have devoured each other. Lilia was on her toes, rubbing herself against him like a cat in heat. She pushed open the collar of his shirt, shoving aside the extravagant purple lace to kiss the warm flesh of his throat. She felt his pulse beneath her lips and ran her hands beneath his coat, wanting to feel all of him, taste all of him.
Montgomery kissed like a man driven to possess her, a man pushed past his boundaries. His mouth roved over her jaw, her ear, into her hair, nipping and tasting, as if he would own her with his touch. Lilia loved the honesty of his demands and when he caught her up in his arms, she knew what she wanted.
"I need you inside me," she whispered. She saw satisfaction flash in his eyes before he claimed her lips again.
She surrendered to sensation. He carried her to an adjacent room and laid her on a pile of canvas sacks in one corner. It might have been a feather bed for all Lilia cared. She could hear Micheline singing nonsense to herself in the other room, absorbed in whatever fascinated stnall shades. Lilia had a strange sense that the child was safe and didn't question it.
Not now.
Not with Montgomery on top of her.
Not with Montgomery touching her as if he'd never get enough.
Lilia loved the weight of his hips over hers. His reevlar codpiece drove into her own pelvis, a precursor to the real thing. She rolled her hips and he murmured a promise against her throat. Her fingers were snared in the velvet of his jacket, discovering his muscled strength beneath the glorious texture of the fabric.
"I need to see you," he said, his words hot and low. Lilia needed no more encouragement to get naked. He rolled her shoulders to one side, his hands making quick work of the back fastening of her dress. He spread it down over her shoulders with a smooth stroke and more of her temporary tattoo peeled away. Montgomery glanced at it, then at her, and shook his head minutely. He seemed amused.
Lilia didn't care what he thought of the tattoo or the Republic's motto. Her elbows were briefly trapped against her waist, snared in the partially unfastened dress, and for once in her life, Lilia didn't mind being captive. He pushed her shift aside, baring the curves of her breasts and bent his head to taste her. He eased her nipple free of her corset with his tongue and Lilia gasped with pleasure. She pulled her arms free, winding them around his neck and pulling him closer.
More. She wanted more.
When he finally lifted his head again, he held her shoulders in his hands, bracing his weight on his elbows.
"Nothing to say?" he teased and Lilia smiled.
"I told you what I wanted."
His smile was so wicked that it made her shiver. "A gentleman would give you a chance to change your mind," he mused, his gloved fingertips grazing her nipples.
Lilia arched her back. "I want you, gentleman or not. I want you now."
His finger unhooked the top clasp of her corset between her breasts. His eyes were as green as emeralds and glittered with intent. He cupped her breasts in his hands, sliding his thumbs across the nipples so that they stood at attention. He trailed a line of burning kisses down her throat.
Lilia knew where he was going with that. She leaned back, closed her eyes, and moaned when his mouth closed over her breast. She clutched the back of his head when his tongue flicked across her nipple. He rolled her other nipple between finger and thumb, driving her to distraction.
His caress felt so good.
Lilia had never felt so feminine or so savored in her life. She liked that he didn't seem to be in a rush, but was discovering her one increment at a time.
She was mussed and rumpled and aroused beyond belief when Montgomery finally slid down and ducked beneath her skirts. He cast the fullness of her petticoats aside, leaving her thighs surrounded by frills and lace. He braced his shoulders between her thighs and gripped her ankles in his hands. Lilia was open to his marauding tongue, captive to the pleasure he was determined to grant, and there was nowhere she would have rather been.
What power did this man have over her, that he could make her forget everything she'd ever known? Why was it that he could give her so much pleasure so readily? She felt both lucky and cheated, because she'd found him now but had been so long without him. Desire drove everything else from her thoughts.
That should have worried her, Lilia knew. That she trusted a virtual stranger was shocking, but not as shocking as the sensations Montgomery launched with his tongue. He held her down so that she couldn't squirm away. She writhed and bucked as he took her to the brink of orgasm.
He moved suddenly, cheating her of the thunder of release in the last moment. Lilia had no chance to complain before he returned to his task, bringing her even more quickly to the cusp of pleasure.
When he halted at the key moment again, she groaned in protest. Montgomery lifted his head, holding her down easily as she fought him with dissatisfaction.
"You tease!" she charged, furious with him for denying her. "I won't beg."
"You don't have to." He laughed, a marvelous sound that made Lilia's heart leap, then lowered his head again. "It's better if you have to work for it," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with intent over her skirts. "Everything is, Lil."
Lilia might have argued in favor of immediate gratification, but instead she gasped as his mouth closed over her once more. He was more demanding this time, rougher and faster.
Lilia loved it. For once, she wasn't the demanding partner, the one who wanted to explore the full range of sensation possible, the one who was a little bit too interested in physical pleasure. Montgomery wasn't daunted by her desire—he encouraged it and used it to redouble her satisfaction.
She respected that.
She could get used to that.
She wondered whether she'd finally met her amorous match.
She twisted beneath his caress, halfway thinking he'd cheat her again. She clutched his one hand in hers, spread her knees wide, and yearned for whatever he wanted to give her.
Again, she drew near the cusp of release, that simmering heat moving beneath her skin and driving her wild. She'd never been so aroused, never needed release so badly. Just when Lilia was sure she couldn't stand it anymore, Montgomery lifted his head. She moaned, but he moved swiftly to bury himself inside of her.
The surety of his move made Lilia gasp, the size of him made her sigh. "My turn," she said and he smiled in anticipation. She rolled over then, sitting astride him and holding him down. She moved slowly, loving how he caught his breath with pleasure. He gripped her buttocks and pulled her against him in silent demand, his eyes shining as he watched her. Lilia rolled her hips, liking the sight of his surprise, loving the feel of him inside her.
She might have teased him just as he had teased her, but Montgomery didn't give her the chance. When he was hardest and thickest, he caught her nape in one hand and pulled her toward him for a crushing kiss. His hand moved beneath her skirts and between them at the same time.
Lilia shivered as he touched her again. She clutched his shoulders and held on. There was plum lace against her skin and Montgomery's mouth locked on hers. When he moved inside h
er, she heard herself moan.
His gloved thumb moved against her in a deliberate and possessive caress; his other hand gripped her buttock and drove her against him in an insistent rhythm. Lilia felt her passion building to a crescendo all over again.
"Mine," he murmured into her ear, his assertion driving her over the edge. Heat surging through her veins, Lilia cried out with pleasure and tumbled on top of him.
Release left her trembling and edgy, limp yet unsated. He was still hard inside her. Montgomery studied her and once again he saw more than she expected anyone to see.
"Again," he said, his agile fingers allowing no surrender.
"I can't."
"You will," he insisted and Lilia felt her body recognize the truth. He rolled her to her back and claimed her anew, moving with sure strokes. She had the sense that he knew her better than she knew herself. He watched her so intently that she knew he would accept no compromise, that she could have no secrets from him.
At least in bed.
He demanded more and Lilia felt her body respond. It was wonderful. Their desire wasn't just equally matched: they each fed the other, the desire of one redoubling that of the other in a relentless crescendo.
Lilia arched beneath Montgomery, rubbing her bare breasts against his jacket. She felt wanton—she was half nude and he was almost fully dressed. She wanted to knot her legs around him and press her skin against his. She wanted to try every position she knew and learn some new ones. She wanted to spend days in bed with Montgomery's insatiable twin.
Once was not going to be enough. Not with this man.
Montgomery smiled a knowing smile as his fingers did their magic. Lilia felt her lips part in astonishment as the tide rose within her again. She rolled her hips, pulling him deeper inside.
"I want you naked," she whispered and he arched a brow.
"Too bad," he teased, then winked.
Lilia laughed. "Can't hold out that long?"
"I won't hold out that long." There was a very male gleam of pride in his gaze. "Neither will you."
He was so confident that Lilia would have liked to have proven him wrong, just on principle. She only managed to unfasten the collar of his shirt, to press her hands against his chest, before his touch distracted her again.
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